Natarajan Srinivasan, a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience, has been recognized for his exceptional financial acumen and leadership skills with the Lifetime Achievement award at the FE CFO Awards 2025. Srinivasan’s career has been marked by his ability to turnaround troubled companies, with his most notable achievement being the revival of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company after the 2008 global financial crisis. He navigated the company out of a precarious situation, transforming it into a financial powerhouse with assets over Rs 1-lakh crore.
Srinivasan’s expertise in complex restructurings, negotiations, and legal battles has made him an indispensable asset to the Murugappa Group. He has been instrumental in several high-stakes negotiations, including the increase of Mitsui Sumitomo’s stake in Cholamandalam MS General Insurance. His deep financial insights and grasp of legal and regulatory frameworks have also caught the attention of the government, leading to his appointment as an independent director on the board of IL&FS during its debt crisis.
One of Srinivasan’s most challenging and satisfying experiences was the turnaround of CG Power and Industrial Solutions. He took over as MD in 2020, when the company was under investigation by multiple agencies and its financial records were being scrutinized by courts. Srinivasan assembled a team to reconstruct five years’ worth of financial statements, completing the task in a record 8-9 months. Under his leadership, CG Power’s market capitalization increased from Rs 5,000 crore to over Rs 1-lakh crore in less than three years, with profits also crossing Rs 1,000 crore.
Srinivasan’s approach to leadership is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, time management, and ability to manage stress. He begins his day at 3:45 am, setting aside Sundays for reflection and planning. He believes in the importance of work-life balance, but prioritizes work, seeing it as a form of worship. Srinivasan is now set to take on a new challenge as Executive Vice Chairman of Coromandel International in Hyderabad. His retirement plans are ambitious, with a focus on mentoring startups, studying the Vedas and Upanishads, and supporting underprivileged priests. With his exceptional leadership skills and financial acumen, Srinivasan continues to be a respected figure in India’s corporate sector.